Local News Briefs Friday 7/18/14

Winnebago County Sheriff’s officials say a man collapsed and died yesterday morning at the Rock USA grounds near Oshkosh. Workers saw him collapse just after 5 a.m. Emergency workers performed CPR, but he died about an hour later. It’s believed he had a medical condition. Authorities say an autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death.

Operation Dodgeball Yields Pot Bust

Dodge County Sheriff’s detectives doing follow up on the sex offender registry compliance checks discovered a marijuana grow operation in the Town of Shields Tuesday. They could smell the strong odor of marijuana coming from the residence and obtained a search warrant. During the search they found an indoor grow-operation, marijuana plants growing outdoors, processed marijuana, money and illegal pills. The evidence was seized and a 52-yea-rold man and 55-year-old woman were taken into custody. Charges are pending.

Oconomowoc Man Does 122 mph On Dodge County Highway

Bond was set at $80,000 cash for a 28-year-old Oconomowoc man who was clocked going 122 miles-per-hour on a Dodge County highway. Joel Yochum was arrested for his 4th drunken driving offense early Wednesday morning on County Highway O. He was driving a 1991 Ferrari that belonged to his grandfather, which he said he wasn’t supposed to be driving. He has a preliminary hearing next Thursday.

Neglect Charges Sought Against Mothers Of West Bend Boys Who Went On Joy Rides

West Bend Police are asking for child neglect charges against the mothers of two young boys who took two vehicles for a drive in as many months. The latest incident involving the 9-year-old and 4-year-old boys was this past Sunday when they ended up in a ditch while trying to drive to a park. Last month they took a car while trying to drive to a grandmother’s home. Neglect charges are being sought against the mothers of the boys and a boyfriend of the 9-year-old’s mother who is also the 4-year-old’s grandmother. Both families and the boyfriend live in the same home. Meanwhile the boys have been placed in child protective custody.

Nearly Half A Million Grant To Help Laid Off Oshkosh Corp Workers

The 700 workers Oshkosh Corporation cut from its defense division will be getting some help from the U.S. Labor Department in finding a new job. The Labor Department is providing a $470,000 grant to re-train workers and offer them career counseling and job search assistance. The company announced cuts in its defense division this past April. Company officials say the state’s Department of Workforce Development is expecting about a quarter of the workers who were laid off to take advantage of the offer.

State Unemployment At 5.7 Percent

Unemployment in Wisconsin held steady last month. The seasonally-adjusted jobless rate for June stood at 5.7 percent, according to Department of Workforce Development officials. DWD Secretary Reggie Newson says Wisconsin’s 5.7 percent unemployment rate remains below the national rate and is at its lowest point since 2008. He says they are feeling pretty good about that and over 100,000 jobs have been created since the Governor took office. He says they are moving in the right direction. Officials also said Wisconsin lost an estimated 1,200 private sector jobs during June. However, the figure is based on a small survey of employers — and it’s often heavily-revised later.

MPTC Receiving Wisconsin Fast Forward Grant

Moraine Park Technical College is one of 16 technical colleges across the state that will receive $28 million in state grants to train workers. Governor Walker announced the Wisconsin Fast Forward grants Thursday. MPTC President Sheila Ruhland says it will fill a need for students and area employers. The funding will provide training through 2016. She says there are several areas they will address with the grant monies including computer numerical control, manufacturing, and a manufacturing apprenticeship training program at the West Bend campus. She says they also have a high need in medical coding. Ruhland says MPTC is also one of two colleges to get funding to do some training for the Department of Corrections. A CNC mobile lab will be located at Fox Lake Correctional for a year. She says about 120 students should be trained through the grant MPTC will receive. Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch will be at MPTC’s Fond du Lac campus next Wednesday to announce more about the grant.

Meat And Milk Sales At FDL County Fair

Thursday was the day of reckoning at the Fond du Lac County Fair for area youth and their animals.  After months of hard work, around 200 young people from throughout the county sold their animals at the 55th Annual Meat Animal Sale and 18th Annual Quality Milk Auction at the Cow Palace.  Kalista Hodorff of Eden was a first time winner with her Grand Champions Dairy Cow. Kati Kindschuh of Lomira is the Section 10 State FFA Officer and she kicked off the Quality Milk Auction by selling a cheese basket from her 2-year-old cow’s quality milk to raise money for State Fair Kids and dairy youth in Fond du Lac County. She says being involved in the FFA is a true family affair. Matt Gross of Oakfield FFA says it doesn’t bother him that the animal he’s spent so much time with will soon become someone’s dinner. News-Talk 1450 KFIZ broadcast live from the auction site and you can listen to a podcast of the event at KFIZ.com.

Important Time For Youth At FDL County Fair

Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce Agricultural Programs Director Brenda Gudex says the youth who show animals at the Fond du Lac County Fair work all year to get ready. She says one of the things the Agribusiness Council does is judge for dairy herdsmanship awards. She says it’s important how youth take care of and show their animals at the fair. She says she has a tendency as a judge to ask the youth questions you might hear from a typical consumer. Gudex also invites people to check out the Agromatic Ag Birthing Center. She says it draws a crowd.The center is located in the Grande Cheese Kids Carnival Corral and is open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Volunteers Needed For ADVOCAP School Tutors Program

Tutors are being sought for ADVOCAP’s school tutors program this fall. Bridget Bestor is with ADVOCAP’s volunteer services program. She works with the Foster Grandparents and Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. She says any seniors that would like to work as tutors with children would be perfect for their school tutoring program. She often the children need help reading or with other learning skills. She says anyone who would like to volunteer or find out more about their school tutoring program should call ADVOCAP at 922-7760 and ask for volunteer services.

Oshkosh School Board To Consider New Building And Grounds Director

The Oshkosh School Board will be considering the hiring of a new director of buildings and grounds when they meet on August 4th. District Superintendent Stan Mack is recommending James Fochs for the position. Fochs is currently serving as the Director of Buildings and Grounds for the Little Chute School District, a positions he’s held for the past 16 years. Prior to that he was with the U.S. Navy and worked as an HVAC technician. He has a Master’s Degree in Project Management from the U-W Platteville and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Silver Lake College.

Today At The FDL County Fair

Today at the Fond du Lac County Fair people are asked to wear green to support the 100th anniversary of 4-H. A special photo will be taken at 4 p.m. at the horse arena with everyone wearing green shaped to make a “100.” Also today at the Fair the Immel Insurance & Financial Services Holstein Futurity will be held at the Cow Palace at 6:45 p.m. At the Leinie Lodge Grand Union at 5 p.m. and the Mantz Brothers will perform at 9:30 p.m. At 8 p.m. at the Grand Stand Jerrod Niemann will perform with the Mantz Brothers.